A Special Visit from Pohnpei Public Library Founder Penny Weilbacher

On September 7, 2026, the Pohnpei Public Library had the special honor of welcoming Mrs. Penny Weilbacher, recognized as one of the founding visionaries behind the establishment of the Pohnpei Public Library.

Mrs. Weilbacher holds a special place in the history of our Library. In the mid-1980s, Chris and Penny Weilbacher developed a plan for establishing a public library on Pohnpei. Their vision was soon embraced by others who shared the belief that the people of Pohnpei, especially its children and young people, deserved a place where they could access books, information, education, and opportunities for learning.

In May 1986, the Friends of Pohnpei Public Library (FPPL) was founded to help turn this vision into reality. The organization began the long and challenging work of fundraising, collecting books, and building community support for the project.

Through the dedication and support of many individuals and organizations, the vision eventually became a reality. The Pohnpei Public Library officially opened in February 1988, beginning its long-standing service to the people and communities of Pohnpei.

Mrs. Weilbacher’s visit on September 7 and 9 was a meaningful opportunity for Library staff to welcome one of the individuals whose vision and dedication helped lay the foundation for the Library we have today. Her presence also gave us an opportunity to reflect on the Library’s beginnings and remember the people who helped make it possible.

More than three decades later, the Pohnpei Public Library continues to serve the community by providing access to books, information, educational resources, programs, and a welcoming space for learning.

We are deeply grateful to Penny Weilbacher for her vision, commitment, and lasting contribution to the people of Pohnpei. Her role in the history of the Pohnpei Public Library will always be remembered and appreciated.

Kalahngan lap Mrs. Weilbacher, for helping make the vision of a public library in Pohnpei a reality.

New Zealand Ambassador Visits Pohnpei Public Library

The Friends of the Pohnpei Public Library were honored to welcome the New Zealand Ambassador His Excellency Stewart Horne during his visit to the Library. 

We greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet with him and share more about the infrastructure update at the library. This infrastructure project is a donation from the Government of New Zealand through the New Zealand Consulate – General (Honolulu). During the visit, we highlighted our Library programs, community services, children’s activities, and ongoing efforts to create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for everyone. 

Visits such as these are significant because they strengthen relationships, encourage the exchange of ideas, and build greater understanding of the role public libraries play in supporting education and lifelong learning. 

We look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships and connections that benefit the people and communities we serve. 

Pohnpei Public Library Receives Generous Donation from UNICEF

The Pohnpei Public Library gratefully acknowledges the generous donation of a laptop and backpack from the UNICEF Office.

This thoughtful contribution strengthens our technology resources and supports our team in delivering programs and services to the community. We deeply appreciate the kindness and commitment shown by the UNICEF team.

On behalf of the Board of the Friends of the Pohnpei Public Library, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to UNICEF for your generous donation.

Recognizing Those Who Served

The Pohnpei Public Library extends its sincere appreciation to the community service students from Xavier High School, CCA, and SDA, as well as the JICA Volunteers, Australian Volunteers International (AVI), two COM-FSM students, and Angelu Legaspi, for generously giving their time and energy to support the library during the 2026 Summer Reading Program.

Through their hard work, dedication, and willingness to serve, these volunteers made a meaningful contribution to our library and the wider community. Their support demonstrates the importance of community involvement and the positive impact that young people and volunteers can make when they come together for a common purpose.

We recognize that some of the students and volunteers are not pictured, but their efforts are equally valued and appreciated. The library is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time and energy to helping improve our facilities and environment.

Your contributions are truly appreciated and serve as a wonderful example of service, responsibility, and community spirit. Thank you to all the students and volunteers for being part of this effort. The Pohnpei Public Library is proud to recognize and celebrate your hard work and dedication.